A Different Approach to Competence Evaluation for Conservatory Entrance Exams in Turkey

Abstract

Compared to many well-developed European countries, conservatories are relatively new in Turkey. Paul Hindemith established the first conservatory in 1936. Today, Turkey has 29 of conservatories. Since the establishment of the first institution the students have been accepted to the programs by entrance exams that measured their skills on specific subjects. Because of the growing number of students individual evaluations became very time consuming and less accurate. This study is a different approach to the entrance exams in conservatories that needs to be improved on the evaluation quality and time management. As the most common part to entrance exams to all departments (music, ballet, drama, violin making etc.), testing musical aural skills was examined. After reviewing the expert's opinion on the skills that a student must have to be accepted to the music or drama department, preliminary test was composed and rechecked by the department's faculty. Resulting test was given to the first year and second year students in the Music and Drama departments. After that some corrections were made to the questions and categories. Resulting test was given to individuals who have similar age and interest areas in the other departments of the university and the community. The validity of the test was calculated using Kuder-Richardson 20 formula and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. After analyzing all the results it shows that this test is valid to measure the aural skills of individuals who applied to be students in Music or Drama Departments.